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Conversion of protein from supplements into protein of hemolymph and fat bodies in worker honey bees ( Apis mellifera L)

2015; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 54; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00218839.2016.1158534

2078-6913

Sergio Barragán, Marina Basualdo, Edgardo Rodríguez,

Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

AbstractAdequate supplementation or replacement of pollen is necessary for maintaining healthy honey bee colonies during periods with limited pollen. Different supplemental protein diets could be metabolized in different ways by bees. We compared how protein supplements elaborated with free amino acids, with a soy-based diet, and with pollen, influence protein stores within individual honey bees. Caged bees were fed with one of three diets, and measurements were made based on protein content of hemolymph and fat bodies. The results show that these diets were metabolized in different way by bees. Bees fed with the free amino acid diet had significantly more proteins in hemolymph than bees fed with soya patty and pollen as they aged. The major amount of protein transported into the hemolymph by 27-day-old bees fed with free amino acid diet promoted the development of wax glands, and probably, it was the cause of a reduced storage of protein in fat bodies. Overall, our results suggest a connection between diets and physiological condition of honey bees.Una adecuada suplementación proteica es necesaria para mantener las colonias de abejas melíferas saludables en períodos de escasez de polen, sin embargo, las distintas dietas proteicas comúnmente utilizadas pueden ser metabolizadas de diferente manera por las abejas. En este trabajo comparamos cómo los suplementos elaborados con aminoácidos libres, una dieta basada en harina de soja y el polen afectan las reservas proteicas en abejas individuales. Grupos de abejas bajo condiciones contraladas fueron alimentadas con las tres dietas y se cuantificó la cantidad de proteínas en hemolinfa y cuerpos grasos. Los resultados muestran que las dietas fueron metabolizadas de diferente manera por las abejas. En las abejas de 27 días de edad alimentadas con la dieta de aminoácidos libres la concentración proteica en hemolinfa fue significativamente mayor que la de las otras dietas. La mayor cantidad de proteínas circulantes en la hemolinfa de abejas de 27 días de edad alimentadas con la dieta de aminoácidos libres promovió el desarrollo de las glándulas cereras y probablemente esto causó una menor reserva de proteínas en cuerpo graso. Los resultados muestran que existe una relación entre el tipo de dieta administrada y la condición fisiológica de las abejas.Keywords: honey beesnutritionsupplementsproteinhemolymphfat body Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.AcknowledgmentsThe authors thank Mike Wade for help with English translation, Cristina García for their excellent technical assistance, and the anonymous reviewer for comments that have greatly improved the manuscript.Additional informationFundingThis study was supported by the National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion PICT N° 1188 and by the SECAT of University National of Centre of Buenos Aires.